Efficiency of Training Volunteers to Converse with Elders with Aphasia

Abstract

Five volunteers were trained to communicate with three nursing home residents with aphasia. Effects were measured in a multiple baseline across participants and partners design. The efficiency of procedures and the outcomes of training student volunteers to use multi-modality communication in conversations with nursing home residents with aphasia were examined. Better understanding of the necessary training procedures will facilitate future research in involving communication partner training. Effective/efficient procedures are needed to maximize cost-effectiveness and clinical significance. Findings from the study, differences from the original study, and clinical recommendations will be described in this paper.